Fabricated thermoplastic decorative trim member



April 14, 1942.

J. S. REID FABR I CATED THERMOPLAS TI C DECORAT I VE TRIM MEMBER FiledFeb. 17, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P l l I I I l l l I I l l I I I l 1 I I II I l l I vhH I l l lfln U INVENTOR JAMES s. REID HIS ATTORNEY;

J. S. REID April 14, 1942.

FABRICATED THERMOPLASTIC DECORATIVE TRIM MEMBER Filed Feb. 17, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 2 JAMES S, REID HIS ATTORNEY.

J. S. REID April 14, 1942.

FABRICATED THERMOPLASTIC DECORATIVE TRIM MEMBER Filed Feb. 17, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 3 k 39 Fig. 1a

m w m JAMES s. REID HIS ATTORNEY.

J. S. REID April 14, 1942.

FABRICATED THERMOPLASTIC DECORATIVE TRIM MEMBER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledFeb. 17, 1938 INVENTOR. JAMES S. .REID

HIS ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 FABRICATED THERMOPLASTIC MEMB DECORATIVE TRIMJames 8. Reid, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to The Standard Products Company, Port Clinton,Qhio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 17, 1938, Serial No.191,062 4 Claims. (Cl. 296-44) This invention relates to an improveddecorative fabricated trim structure made of thermally moldable materialfor use in connection with finishing and concealing the relatively roughperiphery around window openings, panels and the like.

The preferred embodiment of the invention discloses such a decorativetrim member applied to window openings in automobile doors and bodies.Its use, however, for other purposes is readily apparent.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a decorativetrim member of thermally moldable material which is durable incharacter, attractive in appearance, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another important object is to provide a decorative trim member which isfabricated from a plurality of separate molded trim elements each havingend surfaces, the end surface of one element being complementary inshape and designed to abut the corresponding end of the adjacent elementso as to lie in fitting relation and provide a composite decorativeframe structure.

A further important object is to provide such a decorative trim member.which may. be conveniently installed around a window opening in place ofthe usual metal trim member.

A more specific object is to provide a decorative trim frame structurefabricated from different materials, one of which is a thermallymoldable material by forming end portions on one of the elements so thatthe material of the other element may be conveniently molded and joinedto the said one element during the molding of the said other element.

Another specific object is to provide a composite decorative framestructure comprising a plurality of separate elements of thermallymoldable material, the end faces of one element abutting with thecooperating end faces of an adjacent element to provide a continuousframe structure and a continuous retaining band tightly pressed aroundthe continuous frame structure to permanently hold the said structure inassembled relation.

A further specific object is to provide a durable finishing surface ofthermally moldable material for a preformed reinforcing frame structureby molding separate elements of thermally moldmore durable in characterthan prior painted frame structures.

Another specific object is to apply a decorative finishing strip ofthermally moldable material to the surface of another member byproviding the said member with an aperture, positioning the strip ofthermally moldable material on one face of said member in the desiredEocation, and then attaching a retaining member of thermally moldablematerial by an adhesive to the thermally moldable strip from theopposite side of the member through the apertures.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a consideration of the specification and accompanyingdrawings:

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a fabricated frame structure, one elementof which is made of thermally moldable material and the other eleablematerial to the desired size, shape and cross section and positioningeach of these elements over the surface of the preformed frame structureto produce a wear-resisting decorative surface which is attractive inappearance and ment is of a different material, the ends of the saidother element being molded and permanently embedded in the associatedends of the element of thermally moldable material;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the moldedportion of the frame member and is taken substantially along the line2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing one form ofjuncture between the fabricated elements;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a frame member made from two separatesections of thermally moldable material which are joined together attheir ends to provide a unitary composite struc- Fig. 5 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view through the frame taken substantially alongthe line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing the juncturebetween the elements of the frame;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of one form ofinterlocking joint between the elements which comprise the fabricatedmember, the elements being shown in separated relation;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the elements in interlockingrelation;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a modification of the frame member, theelements of which are retained in assembled position by a continuousband;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the frametaken substantiallyalong the line ll-lll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of another modification of the decorativeframe;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along the line I-l5 ofFig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of one of the comersof the frame in Fig.

elements of the frame in assembled relation:

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16, showin the joint in separatedrelation; and 1 Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken similarly'to Fig. through a modification of the frame shown in Fig. 14.

For purposes of illustration only, the molded fabricated framesdisclosed in the drawings will be described as being made ofthermoplastic material, such as cellulose acetate, because this materialis most suitable as to ibility and appearance. It should be readilyunderstood, however, that other thermally moldable materials may beemployed for this purpose. Also, the fabricated frame structure ,will beshown in connection with window openings for automobile doors or bodies,its application around other openings or objects being readily apparenttherefrom.

Referring to the drawings. and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive,the frame structure I comprises a preformed strip 2 of material otherthan what is commonly known as thermoplastic material. This strip may beeither a solid piece of metal or a rolled piece of hollow metal. Theends of this strip are preferably reduced in size from the remainder ofthe strip, as indicated at 3 and v4. Thesereduced ends are joined to thecorresponding ends of a molded element 5 which is preferably made ofthermoplastic or other like material. The element 5 is formed in asuitable mold specifically designed for that joined to the ends of 60purpose and is concurrently the strip 2. This may be accomplished byplacing the strip in the mold so that the reduced end portions 3 and 4lie partially within the cavity which forms the element 5 so that theplastic material flows around these reduced portions and becomespermanently joined thereto during the molding operation. The reducedportions are shown perforated so that the material y.

surfaces of the elements at the elements-2 and 5. The 2 and 5 arepreferably smooth and flush juncture, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The cross section through the molded element 5 is best shown in Fig. 2and comprises a flanged portion and an apron portion 8, which areangularly disposed to each other. The exposed finished surface of theportion l' is preferably substantially identical with the exposedsurface of the element 2 so that the connection between the elements 2and 5 can be maintained flush and smooth. The apron ,8 extends in adirection outwardly from the perimeter of the frame and faces theinterior of the vehicle to provide a decorative fin'ished side portiontherefor.

through the frame taken substantially moldability, flexflowtherethrough, as indicated in Fig. 2,- to provide a more effective bondbetween the The molded thermoplastic element 5 is placed on thelowersidefofthe frame I to insure a more lastingfinish to this portionof the frame.

' Thispart or the frame is the only part that a 2 5 14. showing thejoint between adjacent molded finished This apron 8 conceals therelatively rough subjected to any appreciable wear, particularly on theside windows opposite'the driver's seat. oftentimes the driver of thevehicle rests his arm on the window frame when the glass is lowered, andas a result, the painted finish applied to the usual metal frame membersbecomes scratched by buttons or jewelry and requires frequentre-touching in order to maintain an attractive appearance. Thethermoplastic element 5, however, retains its attractive finishregardless of the wear-to which it is subjected. It is only necessary tobuff the scratched or worn spots until they are smooth and polished.Consequently, the necessity for frequent touching by paint I of thispart of the frame is eliminated.

Many of the interior parts of modern automobiles, such as steeringwheels, knobs and handles, are made of thermoplastic having a particularcolor or color combination. These colors are diflicult to reproduce bypainting and are consequently expensive and unsatisfactory. The presentstructure, however, provides a frame member which may be made of thesame thermoplastic material as the'handles, knobs and steering-wheel.

Furthermore,this frame ofthermoplastic material is much more comfortableto the touch than the usual frame of sheet metal. For example, afteracar has been exposed to the hot sun for a period of time, the metal inthe body of the car absorbs a large amount of heat. when the driverrests his arm on the surface of a window frame made of metal after suchexposure, the

heat in the frame causes temporary discomfort to the arm. The presentthermoplastic frame structure, however, eliminates this discomfortbecause of the relatively high heat insulating quality of thethermoplastic material.

Referring next to Figs. ,4 to 8, inclusive, a frame structure I2 isshown comprising separate frame elements l4 and I5. Each of theseelements is made of thermoplasticmaterial which is moldedto the desiredsize and shape in any suitable molding apparatus. The element Itterminates in end surfaces It and i1, and the element i5 terminates inendsurfaces it and I9, each of which is formed in the mold. Thus, whenthe elements it and 15 are positioned as shown in Fig. 4, these surfacesaccurately fit together so as to provide a smooth flush surface betweenthe elements. A

In order toretain the elements in fabricated relation, one end it of theelement l4 may be provided with a dowel projection 25 which fits into arecess 2| extending inwardly of the element I5 from the end surface l8.Likewise, the end surface I! of the element I5 is provided with aprojecting dowel 22 which is received in an opening 23 extendinginwardly of the element I4 from the end face l1. These dowels may bepermanently secured into their respective openings by means of suitableadhesive, or solvent 'sembly of the elements.

such as acetone, applied thereto prior to the as- 1 IS in the presentinstance is generally channelshaped, the opening of the channel facingtoward the outside periphery of the frame member, as indicated in Fig.5. One of the edge flanges of the channel is somewhat greater in lengththan the flange on theopposite edge and is disposed toward the inside ofthe vehicle, as shown in 'Fig. 5. This inside flange conceals the jointmade between the relatively rough door frame opening, which is indicatedby dotted lines in Fig. 5, and the periphery of the frame member.

This frame member may be very conveniently inserted in position aroundthe frame opening from the inside face of the opening. When the frame isin the desired assembled position around the rough window opening in thedoor, it may be secured thereto by means of screws 25 which pass throughopenings in the elements and extend outwardly so as to engage and becomeattached to the rough window frame.

The end surfaces of the frameelements shown in Fig. 4 may be providedwith interlocking portions which rigidly secure one element to the otherwhen in assembled relation. Such an interlocking joint is illustrated inFigs. 7 and 8. The element la, which corresponds to the element l5 inFig. 4, is provided on one end with a dovetail protuberance 26 and adovetail recess 21. The element |4a is provided with a dovetail recess23, which receives the protuberance 26, and a dovetail protuberance 23,which is received within the recess 21. These recesses and protuberancesfit in interlocking relation with each other, as shown by the dottedlines in Fig. 8, and may be permanently secured .together by applying anadhesive, such as acetone, to the engaging faces thereof prior toassembly.

Referring next to Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, a frame similar to the oneshown in Fig. 4 is illustrated. This frame comprises elements 30 and 3|which may be similar in cross section to the corresponding elements Mand 5, respectively, in Fig. 4. Instead of the dowel or dovetailinterlocking surfaces at the ends of the elements, however, the elements30 and 3| are merely provided with flat abutting faces, as indicated bythe transverse dotted lines 32 and 33. The inside edge flange 34 of thisframe member is somewhat longer than the outside edge flange 35 toprovide the necessary overlap for concealing the joint between the roughwindow opening in the door and the periphery of the frame member. Thisinner edge flange 34 is provided with a shoulder 36 which is directlyopposite the end 31 of the outer edge flange 35. Thus, when the twoelements 30 and 3| are brought into the position shown in Fig. 9, theshoulder 36 and the end surface 31 provide spaced peripheries of equaldimension around the outer periphery of the frame member.

The two elements 30 and 3| may be joined together as a unit by placingan endless and relatively tight-fitting band 38 of metal or othersuitable material around the peripheryof the frame member so as toconcurrently engage the shoulder 36 and surface 31. This band serves asa reinforcement for the composite frame member and also as a means forsecuring the frame elements 30 and 3| together. The band may either becut from a seamless sheet metal cylinder or may be formed from a stripof metal stock of the proper length with the ends joined together k inihterlocking relation, as indicated at as in Fig. 11. These ends maythen be welded, as

' indicated at 40, to 'permanently\hold them in interlocking relation.

The band 38 may be retained in assembledpos'ition around the peripheryof the frame member by providing a plurality of resilient latchingshoulders 4| formed by punching the stock of the band in a directiontoward the inner periphery. These resilient shoulders 4| normallyprotrude from'the inner periphery ofthe band 38,,as best illustrated inFig. 10. Thus, while the band is being pressed into assembled positionon the frame member, the resilient shoulders 4| spring inwardly of theband to allow the surface 31 of the flange 35 to pass thereover. Whenthe band is in fully assembled position, these resilient shoulders thenassume their normal protruding position and lie in abutting relationagainst the inside face of the edge flange 35.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 18, inclusive, the frame member herein showncomprises. a plurality of preformed strips 42 and 43 of moldedthermoplastic material positioned over a preformed frame member 44. Theend portions of each of the strips 42 and 43 are provided with comple- Imentary surfaces which interflt with each other to provide a smoothflush joint between these strips when they are in assembled relation. In

the present instance, one end of the strip 42, for

example, contains an offset surface portion 45 which lies in overlappingrelation with a cooperating surface portion 46 on the adjacent end ofthe strip 43, the assembled condition of these end portions beingillustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 16.

Each of these strips 42 and 43 is mounted onto the surface of thepreformed metal frame member 44, one at a time, with adjacent endportions in overlapping relation until the metal frame member iscovered. The strips 42 and 43 are each provided with an inside edgeflange 41 and an outside edge flange 48. The outside edge flange iscurled inwardly slightly toward the flange 41 so that when one of thestrips is mounted in position, this curled flange snaps around acontiguous undercutportion 49, on the member 44 and holds the strip ingripping relation to the metal member. The assembled relation of thestrip and preformed number 44 is shown in Fig. 15. This composite frameassembly may thus be mounted in position around a window opening bymeans of screws, as shown.

Another modification of a reinforced type of frame member is illustratedin Fig. 18, wherein a strip of thermoplastic material 50 is molded tothe desired size and shape and applied to a flat strip of reinforcingmaterial 5|. The thermoplastic strip 50 may be mounted on one surface ofthe metal strip 5| by Providing apertures 52 in the strip and insertinga thermoplastic button 53 therethrough from the opposite face andcausing the button 53 to adhere to the thermoplastic strip 50 by asuitable adhesive such as acetone. The button 53 is provided with anenlarged head portion 54 which lies wholly on the opposite side of thestrip of metal 5| so that after the adhesive has joined the strip 50 tothe button 53, the said strip is permanently mounted onto the metalstrip 5|. This fabricated frame member may also be mounted around thewindow opening by screws, as shown.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a novel compositethermoplastic frame structure for automobile window frame openings trimmembe p is and the likehas been provided. Its use for other purposes,however, is readily apparent from the drawings and description, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.-

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A fabricated decorativetrim member of thermoplastic organic material comprising separateelongated molded elements, each element having a pair of end faces whichare complementary to cooperating end faces of the adjacent element,and-rigid means associated with complementary end surfaces, the endsurfaces of one element being designed to lie in accurate fittingengagement with the associated end surface of the adjacent element, saidelements providing a continuous, flush, decorative trim surface when inassembled relation, a continuous peripheral face around the perimeter ofthe assembled elements, a continuous retaining member engaging saidcontinuous peripheral face,

and interlocking means on said member and engaging said elements atspaced locations to secure said elements in assembled relation.

3. A fabricated decorative trim member comprising separatemolded-elements of thermally moldable material, said elements eachhaving complementary end surfaces, the end surfaces of one element beingdesigned to lie in accurate fitting engagement with the associatedend-sur'-' face of the adjacent element, said elements providing acontinuous, flush, decorative trim surface when in assembled relation, acontinuous peripheral face around the perimeter of the assembledelements, a continuous metal band snugly engaging the continuousperipheral surface, and resilient interlocking shoulders on the bandwhich engage the said molded elements after the elements and band havebeen assembled to permanently retain the band in engagement with theassembled elements.

4. A decorative trim member of thermally moldable material comprisingseparate preformed elongated cooperating elements, one element having anend portion lying within a complementary recess in the associated endportion of an adjacent element and which is open endwise of saidadjacent element and bonded thereto to provide a fabricateddecorative'trim member of the desired size and shape, the interflttingend portion of one member and recess of the other being arranged toprevent separation of said members in a direction normal to the normallyexposed faces thereof. JAMES 8. RED.

